EP1029718A1 - Method for pressurizing a pneumatic tire and apparatus for executing this method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of inflating a tire casing (20), comprising forming, inside an enclosure (20, 32) in which the rim (10) and the beads (21 and 22) are enclosed. ) of the casing (20), an inflation orifice between a first rim seat (13) (10) and a first bead (21), then to introduce compressed air into this orifice and to close it so that the casing (20) is inflated and mounted in a sealed manner on the rim (10). Before forming this orifice, the casing (20) is used so that the first bead (21) is axially outside the first seat (13) and the second bead (22) is mounted in a manner watertight on the second seat (14), then, to form this orifice, the first bead (21) is punctually pressed. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, comprising a bell (32) consisting of a fixed part (34) and a movable part (35) intended to slide opposite, to enclose the envelope. (20) provided with the rim (10) for its inflation and comprising, inside the bell (32), a finger (33a) for punctually pressing said bead (21). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method of inflating an envelope of tire and a device for implementing this method. The invention applies to the inflation of an envelope whose beads are respectively intended to be mounted on peripheral seats of a particular rim, this inflation being carried out without using the valve of said rim.

The structure of this rim is described in detail in the patent document French FR-A-2 720 977.

As can be seen in Fig. 1 to which reference is made below, said rim 10 comprises, from its peripheral edges made up of two projections 11 and 12, first and second seats 13 and 14 inclined outwards and respectively intended to receive first and second beads 21 and 22 of the envelope 20. Between the seats 13 and 14 is provided, on the one hand, a range 15 intended to receive a support support 23 for tread 24 and, on the other hand, a mounting groove 16 connecting the bearing surface 15 to an axially internal rim 17 of said first seat 13.

In the remainder of this description, conventionally, the first seat 13 the seat which is adjacent to the groove 16, and second seat 14 the seat which is opposite said groove 16.

As for the axially external rim of each seat 13, 14, it is formed by the corresponding peripheral projection 11, 12.

In known manner, the mounting of the casing 20 on this particular rim 10 is carried out as follows.

The first bead 21 is presented on the rim 10, on the side of the second seat 14, then this first bead 21 is made to slide axially on the bearing surface 15 so to introduce it into the groove 16. Then mount the second bead 22 on the second seat 14.

Then, in an extraction step, the first bead 21 is extracted from the groove 16 so as to bring it axially against the outside of the projection 11 of the first seat 13.

Finally, in an assembly step, this first bead 21 is mounted on the first seat 13.

Among the inflators without valve use which are known to this day, we can notably cite the device described in the German patent document DE-A-3 411 433, which comprises a bell consisting of a sectional cover 〈〈 U 〉〉 overturned. This bell is intended to be mounted in a sealed manner on one sides of an envelope which has been previously mounted on the seats of a rim and which rests by its other flat side on a horizontal support, this also of a waterproof way.

This rim has said seats on its internal face, and these seats are connected between them by a flat central portion extending by two recesses directed towards the inside of the rim. Each seat is axially delimited, on the face inside of the rim, by one of said recesses and by a peripheral projection which forms an axial end of the rim and which is also directed inwards of it, so that these seats are symmetrical to each other with respect to said central portion.

When the envelope is wedged between said support and said bell, the beads of the envelope are thus mounted on said seats.

The bell is provided, in its internal space and near its wall lateral, of four sliding and possibly pivoting means, such as levers, which are designed to press on the upper bead located opposite the bell, so as to bring it towards the lower bead and thus form a space annular between this upper bead and the rim, around the entire periphery of said bead.

Following the formation of this space, the envelope is inflated by injection of compressed air inside the bell and, therefore, between the casing and the rim via said space. Then the said support means are made to slide in opposite direction, which has the effect of repositioning said upper bead on the seat corresponding, and the injection of compressed air in the bell is stopped, so that the envelope is in the inflated state.

One can also cite, among the mounting devices without valve, those described in the German patent document DE-A-3 423 307 and in the document of Belgian patent BE-A-888,537, which essentially differ from the previous one in that that the support means that each of them comprises are constituted by the wall cylindrical side itself of the corresponding bell, which is intended for ability to slide axially, i.e. parallel to the axis of revolution of the envelope.

A major drawback of these known inflation devices is that they are not not suitable for inflating an envelope mounted on a rim such as the rim particular described in the aforementioned French patent document FR-A-2 720 977. In effect, once said first bead of the envelope mounted on said first seat of this particular rim, the axially internal rim of this first seat and the inclination above from the latter outward would prevent deformation circumferential from this first bead to said second bead, for the creation of said annular space.

cette enveloppe comporte des bourrelets respectivement destinés à être montés sur des sièges d'une jante, entre lesdits sièges étant prévue, d'une part, une portée destinée à recevoir un appui de soutien de bande de roulement et, d'autre part, une gorge de montage reliant ladite portée à un rebord axialement interne de l'un desdits sièges, ou premier siège, chaque siège étant pourvu axialement à l'extérieur d'une saillie périphérique.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of inflating a tire and a device for implementing this method, which allow, under good conditions and in a reduced time, the inflation of a tire in relation with said particular rim, thus defined:

this envelope comprises beads respectively intended to be mounted on seats of a rim, between said seats being provided, on the one hand, a range intended to receive a tread support support and, on the other hand, a mounting groove connecting said seat to an axially internal rim of one of said seats, or first seat, each seat being provided axially on the outside of a peripheral projection.

The inflation method according to the invention consists in forming an enclosure airtight, part of the wall of which is formed by said envelope and inside from which said rim and said beads are enclosed, then to be formed inside from said enclosure an inflation orifice between said first seat and one of said beads, or first bead, then to introduce air through said enclosure compressed in said inflation opening, then to close said opening at the end of the inflation so that said envelope is inflated and mounted in a sealed manner on said rim.

According to the invention, said inflation method is characterized in that it consists, before forming said inflation opening, to use said envelope in such a way that said first bead occupies an extraction position where it is located axially outside said first seat and that the other bead, or second bead, either mounted in an airtight manner on the other seat, or second seat, then, to form said inflation orifice, to be pressed inside said enclosure on a point location on the circumference of said first bead, then, for close said orifice, to stop pressing said point location.

A device according to the invention for implementing said method comprises a bell intended to be supplied with compressed air and consisting of a fixed part and a movable part designed to slide opposite the previous one, said parts being respectively intended to tightly enclose the sides of said envelope provided with said rim for inflation.

According to the invention, said device is characterized in that it comprises, at inside said bell, a finger which is intended to exert a punctual force axial on said first bead via its free end, with a view to forming an inflation orifice between said first bead and said first seat rim.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said inflation device is such that said finger is mounted movable on the side of said fixed part and in translation parallel to the sliding axis of said movable part, under the control of a control element, such as a jack.

Preferably, said finger has set back from its free end a shoulder, which is intended to press on the external face of said peripheral projection of the rim, so that the maximum amplitude of said translation is predetermined.

Preferably, said fixed part has a geometry of revolution which is concentric with said sliding axis of said movable part, and it is intended to press by its peripheral edge on a circular zone of said flank.

Advantageously, said peripheral edge of said fixed part has, on a arc of its circumference, a portion slightly extending said edge by setbacks beyond the rest of said circumference, towards said part mobile.

In this case, said finger is provided in an angular sector delimited by a dihedral having for edge said axis and the faces of which pass respectively through said dropouts.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said movable part is provided two annular and concentric shims, which are respectively intended to support on the rim and on the tire.

In this way, said fixed part can enclose said envelope with a waterproof way.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said inflation device includes, inside said bell a mounting roller which is intended to support on at least one arc of circumference of said first bead, at the end of said inflation, so as to mount it on said first seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment, said mounting roller is mounted at the end free of an arm which is movable in planar rotation about said axis, at various heights with respect to said axis.

la Fig. 1 est une vue en coupe schématique d'un dispositif de gonflage selon l'invention dans une première phase du procédé correspondant,

la Fig. 1a est un médaillon représentant en élévation un détail du dispositif de la Fig. 1,

la Fig. 2 est une vue en coupe schématique dudit dispositif de gonflage dans une seconde phase dudit procédé,

la Fig. 3 est une vue en coupe schématique dudit dispositif de gonflage dans une troisième phase dudit procédé et

la Fig. 4 est une vue en coupe schématique dudit dispositif de gonflage dans une quatrième phase dudit procédé.

The aforementioned characteristics of the present invention, as well as others, will be better understood on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustration and not limitation, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an inflation device according to the invention in a first phase of the corresponding method,

Fig. 1a is a medallion representing in elevation a detail of the device of FIG. 1,

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of said inflation device in a second phase of said method,

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of said inflation device in a third phase of said method and

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of said inflation device in a fourth phase of said method.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, an inflation device 30 according to the invention comprises a frame 31, a bell 32 which is mounted on the frame 31 and which is intended to cooperate with the casing 20 and the particular rim 10, and means 33 which are mounted inside the bell 32 and which are intended to cooperate with the first bead 21 of the envelope 20.

The wall of the frame 31 is provided with an air inlet (not shown) which is tightly connected to a compressed air supply system.

In this exemplary embodiment, the bell 32 consists of a fixed part 34 which is mounted on the frame 31 and a movable part 35 which is provided for slide opposite the previous one via a control means 36.

These parts 34 and 35 are respectively intended to enclose in a way seals the sides 25 and 26 of the casing 20 for inflation, when the latter is provided with said rim 10.

The fixed part 34 has a geometry of revolution, for example of shape cylindrical extended at right angles by a base 34a, for fixing to the frame 31.

Preferably, the peripheral edge 34b of this fixed part 34 which is distal from said base 34a has, on a reduced arc of its circumference, a portion 34ba slightly extending said edge 34b beyond the rest of said circumference in direction of said movable part 35 (see the medallion of FIG. 1a). We see on this Fig. 1a that this portion 34ba may have a substantially planar shape, and that it is for example connected to the rest of the circumference 34bb by two recesses 34bc symmetrical to each other and more or less curved.

The movable part 35 is intended to exercise, via the fixed part 34, an axial clamping force on the casing 20 and on the rim 10 (see arrow A), the tightening intensity of which is controlled by the control means 36. This part 35 has a wall generally perpendicular to that of the fixed part 34 and, in this embodiment, it is slidably mounted in its axis of symmetry X'X on said control means 36 (it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the fixed part 34 is concentric with said axis X'X).

This means 36 here consists of a jack, the rod 36a of which can be guided in both directions inside a sleeve 31a extending from the side of the part fixes 34 the edge of an opening presented by the frame 31, and whose barrel 36b is provided for the other side of said frame 31. The rod 36a of the jack 36 is provided with an element 36c, such than a bolt, which is intended to lock it at a given stroke.

The mobile part 35 is provided, near the periphery of its face in look of the fixed part 34, of two wedges 37 and 38 annular, concentric and of for example rectangular sections, which are respectively intended to press the rim 10 and on the casing 20. More specifically, the shim 37 associated with the rim 10 is intended to press on the external face of the peripheral projection 11 of said rim 10. As for the shim 38 associated with the envelope 20, it is, on the one hand, located between said wedge 37 and the periphery of the movable part 35 and, on the other hand, it extends said movable part 35 towards the fixed part 34 slightly beyond the wedge 37, so that you can press on the side 26 of the envelope 20 ending with the second bead 22.

The means 33 intended to cooperate with the first bead 21 of the envelope 20 consist, on the one hand, of a finger 33a which is intended to exert punctually an axial force on the first bead 21 via its free end (see arrow B) to form an inflation hole for the casing 20 and, on the other hand, a mounting roller 39 which is intended to press at least one arc of circumference of said first bead 21, at the end of said inflation.

In the example of FIG. 1, the finger 33a is movable in both directions in translation parallel to the X'X axis, under the control of a control element 33b, such as a second jack which is mounted on the frame 31. This finger 33a has advantageously a shoulder 33c, set back from its free end. This shoulder 33c is intended to press on the external face of the peripheral projection 12 of the rim 10, so that the maximum stroke of said second cylinder and, consequently, the maximum amplitude of said translation are predetermined.

In the case where the peripheral edge 34b of the fixed part 34 has the abovementioned recess on an arc of circumference in relation to FIG. 1a, we will note that the finger 33a is then provided in the angular sector delimited by a dihedral having to edge the axis X'X and the faces of which pass respectively through said 34bc dropouts.

As for the mounting roller 39, it is mounted at the free end of an arm 39a which is movable in planar rotation around the axis X'X, and at various heights by report to said axis X'X.

Advantageously, it will be noted that the internal space of the bell 32 outside which the rim 10 provided with the casing 20 is intended to be mounted can be partially occupied, in order to reduce the volume of air required to inflate said envelope 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, one can use for this purpose a element of revolution and annular structure (not shown) which is mounted on the frame 31, in a manner centered on the axis X'X.

An inflation device 30 according to the present invention operates from the next way.

In a first step, the result of which is illustrated in FIG. 1, we have the rim 10 integrally provided with the casing 20 in the extraction position, flat on the fixed part 34 of the bell 32 and on a predetermined side.

More precisely, this flat arrangement is such that the axis of revolution common to the casing 20 and to the rim 10 is coincident with said axis of symmetry X'X of the device 30.

As for this extraction position, it was obtained at the holding of said step extraction described above, and it is such that the first bead 21 of the casing is located axially outside the projection 11 of the first seat 13, the second bead 22 being mounted on the second seat 14. In this position, the first bead 21 presses in an almost sealed manner on said projection 11.

Regarding said predetermined side of flat layout on the fixed part 34, it this is the side of the envelope 20 which has the first bead 21 in position extraction.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the envelope 20 is then mounted on the edge peripheral 34b of the fixed part 34 via a circular zone of sound flank 25.

It will be noted that the implementation of this first step requires, on the one hand, that the movable part 35 of the bell 32 occupies a sufficiently distant position of said edge 34b opposite the latter and, on the other hand, that the means 33 intended for cooperate with the first bead 21 occupy sufficiently distant positions said edge 34b away from said movable part 35.

In a second step, the result of which is also illustrated in FIG. 1, we first actuates the element 36c so as to form a stop for the part mobile 35. Then we command the approximation of said mobile part 35 by through the means 36 until a determined position is obtained therefrom on the axis X'X, such that the shims 37 and 38 of said movable part 35 then press respectively on the external face of the peripheral projection 11 of said rim 10 and on said side 26 of the casing 20.

More precisely, we then make sure that at least one of the shims 37 and 38 presses tightly on the rim 10 or on the casing 20. As preferential, this sealing is achieved by said shim 37 on the rim 10.

An airtight enclosure 20,32 was thus formed, part of the wall of which is formed by the casing 20 and inside which the rim and the beads 21 and 22.

In a third step, the result of which is illustrated in FIG. 2, we order then the translation of finger 33a in the direction of arrow B until its free end presses on the first bead 21, so as to bring the latter radially outward and axially inwardly of the projection 11 and to be formed thus said inflation orifice between the rim 10 and the casing 20.

We then inject compressed air inside the bell 32, this which has the effect of introducing this air between the casing 20 and the rim 10, by said orifice.

It will be noted that the preferential offset of the peripheral edge 34b in said portion 34ba allows, by pressing on an arc of circumference of the flank 25 adjacent to the first bead 21, to facilitate the formation of this orifice to optimize inflation ulterior.

Tests have shown that the action of finger 33a on the first bead 21 increases the air pressure between the casing 20 and the rim 10 practically the same as in the remaining internal space of the bell 32, which minimizes any return of compressed air from said orifice.

In a fourth step, an initial phase of which is illustrated in FIG. 3, we controls the translation of finger 33a in the opposite direction to that of arrow B, until it occupies a withdrawal position similar to that of FIG. 1, where it no longer presses on the bead 21. This has the effect of closing said inflation orifice and therefore maintain compressed air between the rim 10 and the casing 20.

The injection of compressed air inside the bell 32 is then stopped, and actuates the roller 39 in translation so as to make it take an initial position mounting (see Fig. 3) where it presses locally on the first bead 21 opposite, so as to locally mount it on the corresponding seat 13.

Note that, in the preferred embodiment where the fixed part 34 presents the abovementioned recess, said initial mounting position of said roller 39 is such that the latter is then inside the angular sector delimited by the aforementioned dihedral, like finger 33a.

In a fifth step (see Fig. 4), we operate in rotation around the axis X'X the mounting roller 39 on a given path, in said mounting position.

Experience shows that the rotation of the roller 39 in this position of mounting on a path equal to or slightly less than one turn is sufficient to mount the first bead 21 on the seat 13 in a perfectly sealed manner intended to receive it.

In this way, the envelope 20 is mounted in a sealed manner on the rim 10, while being inflated. This result is illustrated on the left half of FIG. 4, where we also see that after having ordered the rotation of the roller 39 to stop, we actuated it in translation so that it finds its initial height on the X'X axis withdrawal relative to the bead 21.

The compressed air it contains is then removed from the bell 32. We note that this does not affect the inflation state of the envelope 20, due to its waterproof mounting on the rim 10.

The right half of Fig. 4 illustrates the removal of the mobile part 35 from the bell 32, for the purpose of extracting the device 30, the assembly assembled in the inflated state of the casing 20 on the rim 10.

Preferably, this removal of the movable part 35 is carried out in two stages, by means of the control means 36 and by unlocking the element 36c.

At first, this part 35 is slowly moved away from the assembly mounted 10, 20 over a few millimeters only, so as to gradually loosen the force exerted by it. In a second step, we can suddenly move the mobile part 35 of the mounted assembly 10, 20, of a height allowing the extraction of this last.

It will be noted that the initial loosening inherent in this first withdrawal time eliminates the risk of the beads sliding out of the seats correspondents 13 and 14, which could have existed in the event of a sudden withdrawal in one time.

It will also be noted that an inflation device 30 according to the present invention allows the inflation of an envelope 20 which is in the unassembled state on the rim 10 and, at the end of this inflation, the mounting of said casing 20 on said rim 10.

Claims (10)

Method of inflating a tire (20) comprising beads (21 and 22) respectively intended to be mounted on seats (13 and 14) of a rim (10), between said seats (13 and 14) being provided, on the one hand, a bearing surface (15) intended to receive a bearing support (23) for the tread (24) and, on the other hand, a mounting groove (16) connecting said bearing surface (15) to an axially internal rim (17) of one of said seats, or first seat (13), each seat (13, 14) being provided axially outside a peripheral projection (11, 12), said method consisting in forming an airtight enclosure (20, 32), a wall portion of which is formed by said casing (20) and inside which said rim (10) and said beads (21 and 22) are enclosed, then forming inside said enclosure (20, 32) an inflation orifice between said first seat (13) and one of said beads, or first bead (21) , then introducing through said enclosure (20, 32) compressed air into said inflation orifice, then closing said orifice at the end of inflation so that said envelope (20) is inflated and mounted in a sealed manner on said rim (10),
characterized in that it consists, before forming said inflation orifice, in using said envelope (20) in such a way that said first bead (21) occupies an extraction position where it is axially outside of said first seat (13) and that the other bead, or second bead (22), is mounted in an airtight manner on the other seat, or second seat (14), then, to form said inflation orifice , to press inside said enclosure (20, 32) on a point location on the circumference of said first bead (21), then, to close said orifice, to stop pressing on said point location. Device for inflating (30) a tire envelope (20) for implementing the method according to claim 1, said device (30) comprising a bell (32) intended to be supplied with compressed air and consisting of a fixed part (34) and a movable part (35) intended to slide opposite the previous one, said parts (34 and 35) being respectively intended to tightly enclose the sides (25 and 26) of said envelope (20) provided with said rim (10) for its inflation,
characterized in that it comprises, inside said bell (32), a finger (33a) which is intended to exert punctually an axial force on said first bead (21) via its free end, in view of forming an inflation orifice between said first bead (21) and said first rim seat (13). Inflation device (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that said finger (33a) is mounted movable on the side of said fixed part (34) and in translation parallel to the sliding axis (X'X) of said movable part (35), under the control of a control element (33b), such as a jack. Inflation device (30) according to claim 3, characterized in that said finger (33a) has set back from its free end a shoulder (33c), which is intended to press on the external face of said peripheral projection (12) of the rim (10), so that the maximum amplitude of said translation is predetermined. Inflation device (30) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said fixed part (34) has a geometry of revolution which is concentric with said sliding axis (X'X) of said movable part (35), and in this that it is intended to press by its peripheral edge (34b) on a circular area of said flank (25). Inflation device (30) according to claim 5, characterized in that said peripheral edge (34b) of said fixed part (34) has, on an arc of its circumference, a portion (34ba) slightly extending said edge (34b) by recesses (34bc) beyond the rest of said circumference, towards said mobile part (35). Inflation device (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that said finger (33a) is provided in an angular sector delimited by a dihedral having for edge said axis (X'X) and the faces of which pass respectively through said dropouts (34bc). Inflation device (30) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said movable part (35) is provided with two annular wedges (37 and 38) and concentric, which are respectively intended to press on said rim (10) and on said envelope (20). Inflation device (30) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it comprises, inside said bell (32), a mounting roller (39) which is intended to press on at least one arc of circumference of said first bead (21), at the end of said inflation, so as to mount it on said first seat (13). Inflation device (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that said mounting roller (39) is mounted at the free end of an arm (39a) which is movable in planar rotation around said axis (X'X), at various heights relative to said axis (X'X).

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